How to stop Puppy Biting

How do you stop puppy biting? It’s important to address puppy biting behaviours as soon as possible, especially when it involves children.

Here are 7 steps you can take to manage and prevent puppy biting incidents:

1. Teach your children appropriate behaviour:
   • Educate children about how to interact with the puppy safely.
   • Supervise their interactions with the puppy to ensure they follow these guidelines.
   • Handling should be supervised and the head area should be avoided – Children should be taught to stroke the back and side of the puppy’s torso.
   • Teach children to avoid rough play, to be gentle, and to not provoke or tease the puppy.
2. Redirect the behaviour:
   • When the puppy tries to bite or mouth your children, redirect their attention to an appropriate chew toy or bone.
   • Encourage the puppy to chew on the toy instead of biting people.
3. Socialisation and training:
   • Proper socialisation and training are crucial for puppies. They need to learn appropriate behaviours.
   • Basic obedience training can also help establish boundaries and teach your puppy vocal cues such as “sit” and “leave it.”
4. Consistency and boundaries:
   • Establish consistent rules and boundaries for your puppy.
   • Teach them what is acceptable and what is not through positive reinforcement training. Reward good behaviour with treats and praise, and redirect or ignore unwanted behaviors.
5. Supervise interactions:
   • Never leave young children and puppies unsupervised. Keep a close eye on their interactions to intervene if necessary.
   • If the puppy becomes too excited or nippy, remove them from the situation and give them a chance to calm down.
6. Time-outs:
   • If the biting behaviour persists and becomes too intense, you can use a time-out technique. When the puppy bites, remove yourself or the child from the room for a brief period. This helps the puppy understand that biting leads to the end of playtime.
7. Seek professional help if needed:
   • If the biting behaviour continues despite your efforts, or if it escalates in intensity, consider consulting a professional dog trainer or behaviourist. We can provide personalised guidance and help address any underlying issues.

Remember, puppy biting is a normal behaviour, it normally coincides with teething and gets better from the age of 7- 8 months old, but it’s important to address it appropriately to prevent any harm to your children or the puppy.

With consistent training, socialization, and supervision, you can help your puppy learn appropriate behaviour and establish a positive relationship with your children.

If you are having problems with your puppy please contact us for help – https://petsgreatandsmall.co.uk/puppy-training/ or https://petsgreatandsmall.co.uk/contact/